Kramer, who most recently served as the Senior Cryptologic Warfare Officer Detailer at Navy Personnel Command, takes the reins of NIOC Georgia from Count, who will assume duties as assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, N3, at U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and director, Maritime Operations Center for U.S. 10th Fleet at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.

Vice Adm. Timothy “T.J.” White, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/ U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F) was the ceremony's guest speaker and presiding officer. He presented Count with the Legion of Merit and commended his exceptional work and leadership while in command.

“Today we bid fair winds and following seas to NIOC Georgia’s commander,” said White. “At the same time, we welcome aboard another tremendous leader, capable of seeing NIOC Georgia through the next set of challenges we face in cyberspace and across our tenets of assured command and control, integrated fires, and situational awareness.

During his remarks, White also lauded the exceptional work of the men and women of NIOC Georgia while under Count’s leadership which included the achievement of full operational capability, well ahead of schedule, by the cyber combat mission teams assigned to NIOC Georgia.

Count, a native of North Augusta, South Carolina, delivered remarks to the audience and thanked the service members assigned to Fort Gordon, the distinguished guests in attendance, and his family and wife, Julie. But he saved his final words as commanding officer for the crew of NIOC Georgia.

“As I look out over at you all, I cannot help but envy the youngest among you. For what lies ahead is both a tremendous challenge and wonderful opportunity,” said Count. “Take hold of it; own it; make the most of it; and take the fight to the adversary in this space. I am proud of you and I wish you the best. You will be very well led under Capt. Kramer, and I ask that you give him the same support that you provided me.”

Count also expressed his confidence in Kramer becoming the next commander of NIOC Georgia.

“To Capt. Bill Kramer, my detailer and relief… While you are no stranger to command, you and Linda are about to embark on the tour of a lifetime and you will soon lead the best crew in the FCC/C10F domain,” he said. “I am fully confident you will take this tremendous team to the next level.”

Kramer is a native of Halethorpe, Maryland. He enlisted in the Navy in 1982 as a Nuclear Trained Machinist’s Mate. In 1992 he graduated from the University of Idaho and received his commission as an Ensign and Navy cryptologist. This is second tour at NIOC Georgia; he previously served as the operation’s officer. He is now serving as commanding officer of his second command having previously led NIOC Sugar Grove in West Virginia.

“To the crew of NIOC Georgia, Linda and I truly look forward to serving you and learning from each of you. I thank all of you for the warm welcome and greeting I received this week,” said Kramer. “Given the opportunity to be your commanding officer is not an assignment I take lightly. I look forward to the challenges that are ahead of us and I trust each of you to carry out our mission while we hold each other accountable to get the job done.”

NIOC Georgia conducts signals intelligence, cyber and information operations for fleet, joint and national commanders, which enhance the war fighting effectiveness of the Navy and nation.

Since its establishment, FCC/C10F has grown into an operational force composed of more than 15,000 Active and Reserve Sailors and civilians organized into 26 active commands, 40 Cyber Mission Force units, and 26 reserve commands around the globe. C10F, the operational arm of FCC, executes its mission through a task force structure similar to other warfare commanders. In this role, C10F provides support of Navy and joint missions in cyber/networks, cryptologic/signals intelligence and space.

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